Circulation

Goal

All new development shall incorporate goals associated with providing a hierarchy of vehicle and pedestrian pathways as well as open gathering spaces which clearly organize and ease movement through campus to important buildings and amenities. Travel along campus pathways shall celebrate college identity, educational opportunities, and the natural environment and habitat of the northwest

Purpose

Circulation on campus is often confusing and disorienting. This is a common comment from first-time students and visitors. Circulation pathways move pedestrians and vehicles and also provide nodes for informal interaction and community engagement. Well-designed circulation is an important element of campus navigation and image. The internal pedestrian network of GRCC shall consist of four distinct elements; gateways, paths, nodes, and outdoor rooms; all of which will reinforce the continuity of the campus and unification of the campus aesthetic to reinforce its identity and "sense of place".

Pedestrian Elements

Gateways

Gateways are the entry points and the beginning point of the pedestrian network. Their function is to announce arrival and to orient visitors to the campus. Gateways shall be plaza spaces of varying size, depending on their location and relative importance. Because of their function as thresholds, they should be generously scaled, well-defined and include informational "I Spots." Every effort will be made to include elements of decorative paving, lighting, and highly managed landscape.

Pathways

Once students and visitors pass gateways, they then proceed along the hierarchy of pedestrian paths to their destinations. The paths are sidewalks bordered with landscaping, and the character of each path is dependant on the volume of people and the speed at which they circulate. Paths shall connect the gateways, nodes, and building entrances. Building signs should be located at building main entrances and be clearly visible from the paths.

Primary Paths:

Primary pathways shall be located such that they connect all major gateways to major building and campus services. They should be a minimum of 20 feet in width and be designed for use as fire lanes. When possible, main building entries should be immediately accessed from primary pathways. The width should be increased at steps and obstructions. Primary paths shall typically also include directional signs, benches, bike racks and other campus amenities. They will typically be distinguished by decorative paving.

Secondary Paths:

Secondary pathways shall link all other building and services to primary pathways. They should be a minimum of 10 feet wide to allow two pairs of pedestrians to pass in opposite direction. This will also allow students hurrying to class to pass those who are strolling. Where possible, the width should be increased at steps and obstructions and paths should be covered by building overhangs to offer protection from the weather.

Tertiary Paths:

Tertiary pathways provide opportunities to explore campus away from the usual hustle of activity. They shall be minimal in width and may be constructed of various pervious materials, when possible. Tertiary pathways should link primary and secondary pathways to small quiet activity nodes where the natural habitat of the college can be celebrated.

New Paths:

As the campus changes over time, paths will be added or redeveloped. Secondary paths currently exist between student housing, Lots P 13, 14, and 15 and the main campus and between the southwest Lot P 5 and the Science/Tech Buildings, these paths are becoming insufficient for their use. Activity is increasing and the path from Lot P 5 will likely need to be rerouted further from the SW driveway intersection to assure pedestrian safety. The path’s increased evening use will require that ample lighting be added. Similarly, the path from student housing and Lots P 13, 14, and 15 will likely be rerouted as entry development occurs.

Nodes

Within the pedestrian network, there will be intersections. These nodes become places of activity, greeting, and chance conversation. As such, they are typically wider than the paths to allow people to stop while permitting others to pass. Building entrances should be oriented toward the nodes, or the nodes shall be located in relation to existing entrances, to facilitate pedestrian way-finding thorough the network.

Like gateways, nodes are important for navigation and orientation and should contain directional signs to adjacent buildings. Where nodes are located near building entrances, they may also contain informational I Spots. Nodes near the gateways should contain bicycle racks.

Outdoor Rooms

Prominent campus nodes shall serve as outdoor rooms. Whereas nodes are active points of transition on the pedestrian circulation network, outdoor rooms are places to linger. These are the quieter spaces for contemplation or study – or active spaces for lounging or "hanging out" with friends. Sometimes, faculty bring classes to these spaces to enjoy the natural beauty.

Outdoor rooms:

  • Should be enhanced by seating and Highly Managed Landscape.
  • Are spaces where sculpture could be displayed and enjoyed.
  • Should be marked with a change in paving materials or patterns and a concentration of site amenities such as emergency phones, benches, and plantings.

There are several well defined existing outdoor rooms on the campus including the Kennelly Commons, the open space between SMT, the Technology Center and the Marv Nelson Science Learning Center. A new outdoor room has also been created between the Science/Tech buildings and Salish Hall.

Vehicular Circulation

Visitor

Access to visitor parking areas shall be easy, convenient, and located directly adjacent to the main campus entry and major gateways. Every effort will be made to provide a new visitor parking lot immediately adjunct to the main campus entry and a new Student Services building. Solutions should not require visitors to "search" for a parking spot.

Students, Faculty and Staff

Access to campus parking areas should be provided through multiple secondary entry points in order to ease general traffic flow.

Support

Where possible, access to building loading dock and other service locations should be separated from pedestrian and normal traffic routes. This is primarily to provide safe movement throughout campus.

Concept Diagram

Map graphic showing the circulation of the campus - click to view a PDF
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